King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat 5625-7000 – April 1971 – unpolished, Suwa, serviced

The icon of the 56 King Seiko line: a King Seiko 56KS Hi-Beat, Ref. 5625-7000 from April 1971, in very beautiful, unpolished condition with sharp edges and intact golden KS medallion on the case back – the reference by which all other 56KS are measured.

King Seiko, Grand Seiko and the Daini-Suwa Rivalry: King Seiko was created in 1961 at Daini Seikosha as a direct response to the Grand Seiko launched a year earlier by Suwa Seikosha. This internal competition between two rival manufacturers propelled Seiko to the top of the world within a few years. The 56th generation of the early 1970s holds a special position: unlike earlier King Seikos (44KS, 45KS, 52KS from the Daini factory), the 56 caliber comes from the Suwa factory – recognizable by the lightning "S" on the dial – and shared its architecture with the 56 Grand Seiko (5645/5646) and the Lord Matic (5606).

Design – "Grammar of Design": The 5625-7000 embodies the design language coined by Taro Tanaka: razor-sharp, distortion-free edges, broad mirror-polished (Zaratsu) surfaces, and a flat crystal bezel. Since this example is unpolished, these edges are still crisp and unblemished – a condition that has become rare for 56KS today, as most have been over-polished over the decades.

The Movement: The Caliber 5625A is an automatic movement with additional manual winding and seconds stop (hacking), 25 jewels, 28,800 vibrations/hour (Hi-Beat), date with quick-set, and approximately 40 hours power reserve, with external fine adjustment. It was professionally and completely serviced in Japan in early 2026 (complete disassembly, cleaning, oiling, regulation – photographically documented) and acquired directly from the watchmaker; it runs perfectly.

About the watch itself: The silver sunburst dial with sharply faceted indices, dauphine hands, applied "SEIKO" logo and "KS Hi-Beat" signature is clear and clean; the date is in the framed window at 3 o'clock. The one-piece stainless steel case back (opening via the crystal) bears the embossed, still fully preserved golden KS medallion, "Water Resistant", "Stainless Steel", the reference 5625-7000, and the serial number 140869 / Japan A. The crown is KS-signed.

Condition and Scope of Delivery: Very nice, unpolished condition with only light, use-typical marks on the case. The watch comes with a new original Seiko leather strap (cowhide, shrink grain / シュリンク) with Seiko embossing and a Seiko-signed pin buckle.

Measurements: Diameter approx. 37 mm (without crown), lug-to-lug 41.8 mm, height 10.3 mm, lug width 18 mm. Weight including strap approx. 51 g.

Technical Data

• Brand: King Seiko (キングセイコー)
• Model / Series: 56KS Hi-Beat
• Reference: 5625-7000 (Dial code 5625-7000T)
• Caliber: Seiko 5625A, automatic with manual winding and hacking, 25 jewels, 28,800 bph (Hi-Beat), date with quick-set, approx. 40 hrs power reserve, external fine adjustment
• Production date: April 1971 (Serial number 140869: 1 = 1971, 4 = April)
• Origin: Suwa Seikosha, Japan (Lightning "S" on the dial)
• Case: Stainless steel, one-piece (opening via the crystal), "Grammar of Design" shape, unpolished
• Case diameter: approx. 37 mm (without crown)
• Height: 10.3 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 41.8 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Strap: New original Seiko leather strap (cowhide, shrink grain) with Seiko-signed pin buckle
• Weight: approx. 51 g (incl. strap)
• Dial: Silver, sunburst, sharply faceted indices, Dauphine hands, date at 3 o'clock
• Crown: Original crown with KS logo
• Crystal: Acrylic glass (flat)
• Water resistance (original): "Water Resistant" (not tested anymore, no guarantee)
• Condition:
  • Movement professionally completely serviced in Japan in early 2026 (documented), runs perfectly
  • Case very beautiful and unpolished, sharp edges preserved, only light signs of wear
  • Golden KS medallion on the case back fully preserved
  • Dial clear and clean

Special Features

• The iconic base reference of the 56KS line – the model by which all others are measured
• Unpolished condition with sharp Grammar-of-Design edges – rare for 56KS
• Golden KS medallion intact (missing on many examples)
• 56 movement family from Suwa – related to 56 Grand Seiko (5646) and Lord Matic (5606)
• Automatic with manual winding, hacking, and external fine adjustment; KS-signed crown
• New original Seiko leather strap with signed buckle; fully serviced in Japan (early 2026), documented

Warranty (used)
This is a used vintage watch, professionally serviced in Japan in early 2026. We provide the statutory warranty for used goods of 12 months. Signs of age and wear do not constitute a defect.

Note
Despite the historical case back inscription "Water Resistant", this vintage watch is no longer waterproof; no water resistance is guaranteed. To protect the movement and leather strap, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.